SCROLLING, BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Year 8 English students at Gilroy Santa Maria College recently took their creative writing to a new level. Based in a world similar to J.R.R. Tolkein's The Hobbit- students had to plan and write a unique hero's journey, then create an authentic scroll or book to present their stories in. Hours of effort to craft their final product meant the results were truly amazing!  

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The Amber Gaze
By Eva Grace Hutchings

The sun shone exultantly on the Valley of Raytella, casting rays of liquid gold on dewy, daisy drenched meadows, stretching as far as the eye could see.  

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Pure, pretty, perfect.

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Who would have thought that only a short trek up the mountain was the gloomiest place imaginable?  Dark caves lined with bats. Spiders- the size of plates. The caves belonged to the most diabolical pack of orcs in Pandoras: The Bloodrune, creatures of pure evil, heartless, who enjoyed taking innocent lives.  

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But one…

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Talon, runt of the Bloodrune, jolted awake as she heard her brethren leaving the caves.  

She’d never belong. She was nothing to them…

Well, not quite nothing. Talon had an unparalleled talent for hypnosis, which she pledged to never reveal to another soul.

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But right now, she had other things on her mind.

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Silently, she skulked to the stables. The coast was clear.

This morning she had received a message, tucked under piles of dusty straw in the stables.

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“Wait- until caves are empty.”

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This was the only period of time she was alone- whilst the others were hunting.

Talon looked around furtively. Well? What now?

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Suddenly a letter, sealed with a red seal, wafted through the window. It read:

“Slay the dragon terrorising Enlacia.”

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Killing the dragon attacking Enlacia was the tale on everyone's lips!  

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This was what the message was for! But, but-

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She was a nothing.

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“Well?”

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Talon turned, to see an old man, with white hair, and eyes like blue glass. He was smiling a kindly smile, like the loving grandfather Talon never had.  

“I am Tiladrell – a wizard… so I know everyone. You are powerful, as I had a vision. The dragon is a hypnotist too, so that means you are the only being in the world who can stop him.”

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Parts of Talon’s heart illuminated. She sighed.  

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“Very well. We leave tomorrow.”

Tiladrell waved his staff, smiling a sympathetic smile, before a flash of blue light illuminated the room.

Talon’s things were packed neatly, in her rucksack.

“No time. We leave right now.”

…

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As Talon and Tiladrell trudged through the forest towards Enlacia, trees towered skyward; brown foliage whispering secrets. Feeble rays of light struggled through tangled vines, illuminating specks of ash drifting on the north east winds, reminding them of the importance of their quest. Talon fretted, but Tiladrell’s calm demeanour settled her.

A twig snapped. Soft muttering.

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Shadows shifted into reality, as Talon’s pack leapt out of the foliage, armed.

“Get her back!” They roared, swords flashing.

Tiladrell, eyes wide, bellowed:

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“Run, Talon!” with a voice like rolling thunder.

Talon bolted, weaving through the trees, stumbling, until Enlacia was in sight. Tears flooded her cheeks.

Tiladrell was gone.

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Talon looked up. The city of Enlacia gleamed like a jewel in front of her. Each facet of the gem caught the sun; throwing a kaleidoscope of colours through the sky.  However, looking closer, plumes of fire ravaged the city- and silhouetted through the smoke was the dragon, amber eyes meeting Talon’s own.

Suddenly, Talon’s body contorted. The dragon was hypnotising her.

But Talon thought of Tiladrell.

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She had to do this for him. With all her strength, she fixed her eyes on the dragon’s. The dragon roared, whimpered, then with a terrible howl, plunged its claw into the large crimson gemstone on its head, and fell to the ground in a cloud of debris. Talon exhaled, looking skyward. This is for you, Tiladrell.

…

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One year later…

Talon stood in a sunny ravine filled with chirpy young elves, dwarves, even orcs - just like her. As leader of the Pandoras army, it was her obligation to mentor the magically gifted children of Pandoras. Talon had transcended barriers, received esteem beyond imagination, and most of all… admiration.

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Just like Tiladrell.

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